Strong coaching tree
When we look at coaching trees, it seems everyone wants someone from the Kyle Shanahan tree. Sean McVay is another name you hear, but McVay also came from the Shanahan tree. Luke Getsy was indirectly connected through Matt LaFleur, but we saw how that worked out. Well, Shane Waldron has direct connections to three great coaching trees.
Waldron started his NFL career under the guidance of Bill Belichick in New England. Waldron was an operations assistant, scouting assistant, and eventually tight ends coach for the Patriots. Waldron then moved onto Washington where he was the offensive quality control coach under Sean McVay. Shanahan had already left the Redskins at that point, but Waldron followed McVay to Los Angeles in 2017. Waldron was the tight ends coach for one season before becoming the passing game coordinator and QB coach for three seasons. To prove himself, Waldron then left for Seattle with Pete Carrol.
Development at QB
Lastly, and probably the most important, Shane Waldron has had success with multiple quarterbacks — even with different playing styles. Waldron has worked with Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and most recently Geno Smith. The way he has been able to help revitalize Geno Smith's career has been fantastic. Smith was a cast-off in the NFL, but Waldron was able to help guide him to 4,282 yards in 2022 and 3,624 yards in 2023 — those numbers are great compared to other Chicago Bears quarterbacks.
Could Ryan Poles want Shane Waldron to help bring Justin Fields' career back from the crypt or is he wanting him to pair up with a rookie quarterback instead? I don't see Poles tipping his hand meaning we will have to play the wait and see approach